How to Become a 911 Dispatcher in Orlando, Florida

Emergency dispatchers in Orlando are classed as either police or fire/medical services emergency operators. With a starting salary of around $27,500 per year, these positions have a tendency to be highly competitive, and you should prepare to make a strong bid for employment. As you learn how to become a 911 dispatcher in Orlando, you will observe the overall certification process is the same for both these positions, with a few minor additions that will be detailed in this guide.

Step 1. Increasing Your Competitive Edge

A good way to boost your competitive edge is to have a college degree in a dispatching-related field. To be eligible for 911 dispatcher jobs in Orlando you must have at least six months to a year of related job experience or education. A college degree will fulfill this requirement as well as prepare you for advancement through your career. Depending on your degree you may also be eligible to enter the field at a higher pay level.

With over half-a-dozen college campuses located within Orlando and more online you will find plenty of opportunities to study for degrees in areas such as:

Homeland Security:

Terrorism threats and strategies

Police and fire organization and management

Disaster planning and management

Critical incident stress management

Criminal Justice

Conflict resolution

Police systems and practices

Law Enforcement

Spanish for law enforcement

Tactical communications

Criminal investigations

Psychology

Abnormal psychology

Thinking and decision making

Memory and stress

Drugs and behavior

Step 2. Apply with the City of Orlando

Once you are satisfied with your qualifications you will be ready to apply with the City of Orlando for either police or fire/emergency dispatch positions. You can do this online after you create a job-seeker account with the Orlando Human Resources Department. Browse the city’s current job postings for any vacancies and if there are none you should check back soon. Look for the official job titles:

Both these positions are entry-level, and within this class it is possible for you to reach a level III tier. Promotions are based on performance evaluations and experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Step 3. Certification and Training Requirements

Most of the 911 operator training you will be required to obtain is the same, whether you want to become a fire/medical or police dispatcher. This starts by graduating from a Florida-approved Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Certification Course. This must be at least 232 hours and will include instruction on:

CPR

Operational skills

Emergency fire services

Emergency medical services

Emergency management practices

Emergency law enforcement services

The role of the telecommunicator and professional ethics

After completing this course you can begin preparing for the PST Certification Exam with the state-provided study guide. Once you are ready you can fill out an application and register for your exam. Successful completion of this will earn the main credential you need to become a 911 dispatcher in Orlando: PST Certification.

Working as a fire/medical dispatcher in Orlando also means you will need to obtain Emergency Medical Dispatching Certification. And although not required to become a police dispatcher, it is preferred if you have experience with:

You may consider branching out to opportunities provided by local organizations to improve your dispatching skills and performance evaluations. Check with the following agencies for more information about upcoming education and training related to your field: